In 2024, Russia launched a formal antitrust investigation against Apple. It accused the tech giant of not preinstalling the state-backed MAX messaging app. It also accused Apple of not preinstalling the RuStore app marketplace on its devices. The conflict with Russian regulators dates to 2019. The country passed a law mandating foreign smartphone manufacturers to offer domestic software options. This was required on devices sold within Russia.
The evolving dispute
By early 2021, Apple had made a compromise. It agreed to show a list of recommended Russian-developed apps to users. This was during the setup process of new iPhones. This was rather than preloading them. However, tensions rose significantly in 2022. This was following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Apple suspended sales and exports to the country. It removed apps like RT News and Sputnik News from international App Stores. Later that year, Apple also removed several apps linked to Russian tech firm VK. Apple attributed this move to British sanctions.
The situation continued to escalate in 2024. Russia demanded all new smartphones and tablets sold in the country must come with the MAX messaging app preinstalled. Russia also demanded the mandatory inclusion of the RuStore app marketplace. Apple refused to meet either requirement. This led to further friction with Russian officials. In June 2024, Apple took MAX and several VK-developed apps off the Russian App Store. It cited the need to comply with sanctions. This triggered an official warning from the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service. It called for addressing what it called discrimination against Russian software by July 15.
According to reports, Apple partially responded. It allowed a Russian search engine to be preinstalled on iOS 26.6. It did not fulfill Russia's requirements regarding MAX and RuStore. This partial compliance reportedly failed to satisfy Russian regulators. They have since filed a full antitrust case against Apple.
The stakes for Apple
The Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service has now officially initiated legal action against Apple. While the exact consequences remain uncertain, Russia demonstrated its approach in 2024 by imposing a $20 decillion fine—equal to 20 followed by 33 zeroes—on Google for years of violations, including the removal of Russian state-backed and pro-Kremlin content from YouTube. Apple has so far remained silent on the ongoing investigation. The case could set a significant legal precedent, shaping how tech companies operate under similar regulatory frameworks in Russia and possibly influencing the behavior of other firms in similar situations.
